Man-Sword Unity

That was right—the domineering power on the Holy Sword was Conqueror's Haki.

And only those who possessed Conqueror's Haki could wield the Holy Sword. Otherwise, they would only be controlled by it and become its puppet.

It had only failed to control Moke because it had encountered his even more powerful Devil Fruit Ability.

That wisp of Conqueror's Haki on the Holy Sword had been stained onto it by its former king through countless battles while wielding it.

Just like a Black Blade!

The difference was that a Black Blade used Armament Haki Coating.

The Holy Sword, on the other hand, used Conqueror's Haki Coating. Of course, Moke's Devil Fruit Ability could absorb the Conqueror's Haki on the Holy Sword because that wisp of Conqueror's Haki was ownerless.

But most importantly, once the Holy Sword entered his body, he immediately entered Man-Sword Unity... His swordsmanship cultivation soared directly upward.

Just like Saka in the original story, after the Holy Sword entered his body, he crossed two realms in a row and entered the third realm of swordsmen, Flying Slash. In other words, he could directly swing out sword energy that left the blade.

As for the divisions of swordsmanship realms:

The first stage was that of a novice swordsman.

Back when Roronoa Zoro was at Koshiro's dojo and before he encountered Mr. 1, he could actually be considered to be at this realm.

Simply put, anyone who could pick up a sword and had sword techniques could be called a Novice Swordsman. It was the lowest realm of swordsmanship. However, when Zoro first appeared, he was already at the peak of this level, only one step away from the second stage!

The second stage was Swordsman:

It was when Zoro fought Baroque Works' Mr. 1 and comprehended Cutting Steel that he truly entered the second stage and became a Cutting Steel Swordsman.

The third stage was Swordmaster. Flying Slash was something basically every Swordmaster could use, allowing them to swing out sword energy that left the blade. Zoro attained it after reaching Sky Island.

The fourth stage, and also the final realm, was the Black Blade. One had to at least possess Intermediate Armament Haki to possibly achieve it. By coating one's blade with Armament Haki until it reached the level of Armament Haki Hardening—anyone capable of Armament Haki Hardening needed Intermediate Armament Haki—one could truly cut through anything. As long as the Haki strength within a given area was weaker than one's own, it could be severed in a single strike.

And now, Moke had likewise reached the third stage directly. In other words, Moke was now a genuine Swordmaster!

"Whew..."

Moke took a deep breath. Then Sandai Kitetsu instantly left its sheath, and he swung it at the sea.

A slash two meters tall shot out, cleaving a massive ravine across the sea before the utterly shocked gazes of Robin, Mr. 1, Mr. 2, and Mr. 3.

Then Moke closed his eyes again and carefully savored the sensation. At this moment, his Devil Fruit Ability had advanced by one realm, while his swordsmanship had crossed two realms in succession, entering the Swordmaster Realm.

His body had also undergone a qualitative transformation under the influence of the Holy Sword and Sandai Kitetsu's Ghost Aura.

Only now did Moke truly have the confidence to contend with the real monsters of this world.

Rather than resorting to underhanded tricks like he had against Crocodile.

Then he discovered that his Conqueror's Haki was growing bit by bit. After absorbing that wisp of Conqueror's Haki, he had successfully awakened Conqueror's Haki.

And after awakening it, with the aid of his Devil Fruit Ability, it actually began devouring that wisp of Conqueror's Haki.

"Ha ha ha..."

Moke could not help bursting into laughter.

Because he had thought of something: if Conqueror's Haki could work this way, what about Armament Haki?

"Gecko Moria, I'm coming... Are you ready? Heh heh..."

He was already looking forward to seeing whether he could successfully awaken Armament Haki after absorbing ownerless Armament Haki, just as he had with Conqueror's Haki.

He looked forward even more to finding out how powerful his Armament Haki would become if, after successfully awakening it, he absorbed all the Armament Haki from a Black Blade!

After calming down, Moke said to Robin, Mr. 1, Mr. 2, and Mr. 3, "Robin, Mr. 1, Mr. 2, Mr. 3, return to the original headquarters and continue gathering intelligence. Also, infiltrate the New World. I hope that by the time I enter the New World, your intelligence network there will already have achieved something."

The four replied in unison, "Yes..."

Moke added, "Also, don't forget to improve your strength. Right now, you're still too weak... When your strength reaches the level of 300 million, you'll be qualified to step into the open and become members of my crew."

Robin, Mr. 1, Mr. 2, and Mr. 3 could not help changing expressions. Mr. 1 especially was someone who refused to be outdone.

"Someone's coming..."

Having reached the Swordmaster Realm, Moke had become incredibly perceptive. He then gave the four a meaningful look.

The four immediately understood.

After all, they could not reveal their relationship with Moke yet. So they swiftly departed.

Soon, two tall figures arrived before Moke.

The man on the left had four X-shaped scars, two on his face and two on his neck. He had split, curled sideburns and flowing brown hair that hung all the way to his shoulders.

Most peculiar of all, his left eye had no pupil.

The man on the right wore a mohawk, with his dark purple hair tied behind his head in a topknot.

He had a handlebar mustache and wore a light purple striped suit over a dark blue shirt, along with a white tie.

A white Marine coat was draped over his shoulders, and a katana hung at his waist.

The two were far too distinctive. Moke recognized them at a glance.

They were Marine Vice Admirals Doberman and Momonga.

These two were elite vice admirals of Marine Headquarters. The fact that they had come together truly surprised him!

Doberman and Momonga had clearly recognized Moke as well, and both their expressions changed.

Doberman said coldly, "So it was you who unleashed Conqueror's Haki here just now."

As he spoke, he placed a hand on his sword hilt.

Momonga beside him did the same.

"To think that two Marine Headquarters vice admirals would come together. I'm truly flattered!" Moke's hand had likewise settled on the hilt of Sandai Kitetsu.

Momonga's lips curled slightly. "I merely happened to come to Chef Island with Doberman to enjoy some food. But running into you really was unexpected..."

Both sides had locked onto each other, tensions ready to explode...

"Buru... Buru..."

At that moment, the sound of a Den Den Mushi rang out from Momonga's body.

"Hm?"

Momonga looked confused, while Doberman was equally surprised. Neither could imagine who would be calling at a time like this.

Momonga glanced at Moke, but ultimately chose to answer the Den Den Mushi first. "This is Momonga. Who is this?"

The next second, the Den Den Mushi took on the appearance of someone smoking a cigar. "Vice Admiral Momonga, this is Smoker. I ran into your subordinates on the island, so I thought I'd give you a call. If you encounter Moke, don't make a move yet... Fleet Admiral Sengoku has asked me to invite him to join the Shichibukai."

Momonga: "..."

Doberman: "..." What perfect timing for this call...

The two could not help looking at each other.

Then Momonga said, "Smoker, I have never received a call from you."

After saying that, he hung up immediately without waiting for Smoker's response.